Just mention the name Indiana Jones and I bet you can already hear the theme tune going through your head and the effect is the same when you first lay eyes on the ancient city of Petra, Jordan.
2014 marks 25 years since the classic Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade hit screens and introduced Jordan’s Petra to a generation of travellers and their bucket lists.
The franchise’s third instalment sees the world’s favourite archaeologist facing adventure, danger and mayhem through Spain, Italy, England, Turkey and, of course, Jordan as he tries to rescue his father from a bunch of evil Nazis (is there any other kind?).
A highlight of any trip to Petra, the iconic Treasury (Al-Khazneh) stands in as the temple that houses the prized Holy Grail.
Shooting in Petra took place over one week in August 1988 and during filming the cast and crew were the honoured guests of King Hussein.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, Petra was also named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World by a public vote in 2007. Visiting Petra, you’d be amazed by just how large the site is – an amazing array of buildings and monuments carved from the rose rock of the Arabah desert valley.
A 20min walk from the site’s entrance, the Treasury emerges through narrow gorge entrance called the Siq (the shaft). A first century BC tomb of a Nabataean king, the Treasury’s façade is 30m wide and 43m high.
To follow in Indy’s footsteps and experience Petra for yourself contact Visit Jordan.
